Were you happy to see Steve McClaren go?
He had to go. There have been too many inept performances where there has been no evidence of a gameplan from the manager. He failed to motivate players who have talent and big bank balances but apparently no heart. Given his patchy previous record, including his most recent failure at Derby, most of us despaired at his appointment in the first place.
What will McClaren be remembered for?
Post-match platitudes, including the praising of performances that he thought were improvements – not difficult if they followed being hammered 5-something.
Did you like anything?
He seems like a nice man and is said to be a good coach by those that know him, but did not show it here. If it was McClaren’s push that brought in Jonjo Shelvey we may have that to thank him for.
Would you have chosen Rafael Benítez?
Well, that lot down the road – the Mackems – have saved their bacon a couple of times recently by appointing a Latin so we may as well give it a try.
If you were in Rafa’s shoes, what three things would you address first?
The captaincy, returning the responsibility for recruitment to the manager and, after six successive defeats in the derby, formulate a plan for winning the home six-pointer against you-know-who next Sunday.
Do you think you will stay in the Premier League now?
Not sure – it will be a tall order given the apparent lack of motivation of some players. But if we do survive, appointing a person of Rafa’s stature might give long-suffering fans some grounds for optimism next season – more so if there was a change of owner too.
David & Richard Holmes, Observer readers
